Copycat Starbucks Iced Chai Latte
Cold, creamy, warmly spiced, and just sweet enough, this iced chai latte is the answer when you want a coffee-shop drink without putting on real pants and standing in line. It comes together in minutes and is easy to make more or less sweet.
Recipe at a Glance
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 0 minutes
- Bake: Not applicable
- Chill: Chill chai and milk before serving when possible
- Rest: Not applicable
- Total: 5 minutes, plus chilling if needed
- Servings: 1
- Difficulty: Easy
What You Need
The existing recipe did not provide measured ingredient quantities, so I have preserved the original ingredient list rather than inventing measurements that were not supported by the source recipe.
- Chai concentrate
- Milk of your choice
- Ice
- Monin vanilla syrup or another sweetener, optional
- Cinnamon, optional
How to Make a Copycat Starbucks Iced Chai Latte
- Chill the ingredients. Refrigerate the chai concentrate and milk before assembling whenever possible. Cold ingredients mean less melting and a colder finished drink.
- Fill the glass. Use a tall glass and fill it generously with ice.
- Add the chai. Pour the chai concentrate over the ice. Use a concentrated chai rather than weak brewed tea for a coffee-shop-style flavor.
- Add the milk. Pour in your milk of choice. Stir slowly from the bottom so the chai and milk combine evenly.
- Sweeten carefully. Taste before adding vanilla syrup because chai concentrates vary in sweetness. Add vanilla gradually until the drink tastes balanced.
- Finish with cinnamon. Add a light sprinkle of cinnamon if you like extra spice.
Milk Options
Oat milk makes a creamy, dessert-like chai. Almond milk gives you a lighter version. Dairy milk works beautifully when you want a classic creamy texture. Use the milk you actually enjoy drinking because this recipe is meant to be flexible.
Substitutions
- Vanilla syrup: Monin is my preferred option for this Starbucks-inspired drink, but Torani works too.
- Sweetener: Use your preferred sweetener instead of vanilla syrup, or skip it entirely.
- Milk: Oat, almond, dairy, or another milk you enjoy can work.
- Chai concentrate: Any concentrated chai you like can be used, but sweetness and spice levels will vary by brand.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Too strong: Add more milk and taste again before adding sweetener.
- Too weak: Increase the chai rather than simply adding more syrup.
- Too sweet: Use less vanilla syrup next time. You can also add a little more milk to balance the glass.
- Watery: Start with chilled ingredients and fresh ice. Warm chai melts ice quickly.
- Not spicy enough: Add a small amount of cinnamon at the end rather than overloading the drink with sweetener.
Make-Ahead and Storage
You can combine the chai concentrate and milk ahead of time and refrigerate the mixture in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Pour it over fresh ice when ready to serve. Add vanilla syrup after chilling if you want the most control over sweetness. The finished iced latte is best served cold and does not need reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Mix the chai and milk, refrigerate the mixture, then pour it over fresh ice when you are ready to drink it.
Can I make it less sweet?
Absolutely. Start without vanilla syrup, taste the chai and milk mixture, and add only what you need.
Can I make a dirty chai?
Yes. Add chilled espresso to the finished drink for a dirty chai latte.
Do I have to use vanilla?
No. Vanilla is optional. The chai and milk are enough for a simple iced chai.
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More Starbucks-Style Drinks
For more coffee-shop favorites, try the Copycat Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha, Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, or Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Want a homemade chai with a different flavor direction? Try the Caramel Oat Milk Iced Chai Latte. Browse the full Starbucks Copycat Recipes collection for more drinks and breakfast favorites.
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